American Salas takes 54-hole lead at Women's Australian Open

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2016 file photo, Lydia Ko of New Zealand checks her line on the eleventh green during the second round of the LPGA golf tournament at Tournament Players Club (TPC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A day ahead of the start of the Women's

Joshua Paul, File

February 18, 2017

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) American Lizette Salas shot a 2-under 71 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead over two Australians and a Thai golfer heading into the final round of the Women's Australian Open at Royal Adelaide.

Salas, who had a 10-under total of 209, was 1 over after the front nine, but rescued her round with back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th holes and another on the par-5 17th.

Australian Olympian Su Oh had the round of the day, a 68, and was tied for second with 36-hole leader Sarah Jane Smith (74) and Pornanong Phatlum (73).

Defending champion Haru Nomura of Japan had a second consecutive 69 and was in a group tied for seventh, four strokes behind.

No. 2-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, the LPGA's Player of the Year and a five-time winner in 2016, shot a 71 and was at 4-under. Michelle Wie shot 76 and was at 2-under, eight strokes behind.

No. 1-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand was at even par after a 73 on Saturday, as was Canada's Brooke Henderson.

Ko has a new coach, caddie and equipment.

''It takes time to get used to, but with the clubs actually, it hasn't really taken a long time,'' Ko said ''Straight away I had a rough idea how far it was going and the flight itself. It's something that I can trust, even though it's only my first tournament with them.''

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